In the month of April 2012 AmeriCares India foundation revisited the Bandipora district in Kashmir as a follow up response in order to reach out to the communities missed the previous time and to monitor those previously served.
The team consisted of Dr Purvish Parikh, Dr Swati Jha and Mr Neeraj Prasad from AmeriCares India were joined by 2 external disaster preparedness experts.
- Four medical camps were organized in four different villages (Kudur, Athabuth, Kalhoma, Katajur) over 2 days. Apart from the visiting doctors, the district medical officers and army doctors too helped in the camp. the total number of direct beneficiaries was 905. The major medical findings were osteoarthritis in adults, reproductive tract infections and anemia in women of child bearing age. Cataract and other ophthalmological problems were rampant. Skin infections, calcium deficiency and worm infestation were common in children. Quite a few of the pediatric patients had congenital disorders.
- The Audiometry camp was organized again for the people missed out during the first visit. After screening 294 individuals including children from special schools a total of 59 hearing aids were distributed.
- Solar Light Distribution: Multifunction solar torches were distributed to fifty families of the Gujjar(shepherd) community living high up in the mountains with no access to electricity.
- Twenty wheel chairs were distributed to handicapped people from the lower socio-economic groups. These individuals were identified by local leaders and the army.
- Training workshops, specially designed for local needs were carried out for medical professionals and Para medical professionals. The area of intervention covered during this response were the 14RR campus, Kudur, Athabuth, Kharapur, Kalhoma, Katajur, Chuntimulla, Parimal Terkri and Nadihal. Specially designed training manuals were distributed to the people attending the trainings. in addition 50 first aid kits were distributed to various sub-centre health staff depending on their relative need
- The course was attended by all local health stakeholders like ASHA, Health Inspectors,, Community Health Officers, Female Public Health Workers, Block Health Workers, Staff Nurses, School Staff, Ex-Army men and Army medical staff.
- One mannequin was donated to the army for practising CPR techniques.